Communicate with your loved ones abroad

textPlus: Text Message + Call — or Second Phone# For Chat + Voice — is a free-to-dowload social and communication app by textPlus, Inc. It offers free texts to U.S. and Canadian recipients, with the option to enjoy ad-free calling for a monthly or yearly fee. It also runs smoothly on Wi-Fi and 3G or 4G networks.

Like WhatsApp, Messenger, and other popular messaging apps, textPlus: Text Message + Call lets you send GIFs to recipients and create group chats. However, it can be frustrating to use due to screen freezing and log-in issues. There are also times when it won’t send your messages.

Call and message your contacts

Thanks to textPlus: Text Message + Call’s free US contact number, you can enjoy spending quality time with a friend or a family member living in another country. Sending texts to US or Canadian contacts is free of charge. Inbound calls don’t cost a cent, either. As there are ad banners in the app, you can remove them by paying a monthly or yearly subscription. 

Likewise, you can enjoy unlimited calls to U.S., Canadian, or Mexican numbers after availing of the app’s no-ads subscription packages. Thankfully, there are no contracts or hidden charges. That aside, the app allows for the sending of GIFS as well as video and audio messages for a more engaging texting experience. Its smart reply feature, meanwhile, helps you save time in thinking of the best possible response to a message.

Also, you can create group chats for keeping in touch with your closest network of friends and colleagues. Emergency calls to 911 are supported as well—allowing you to contact emergency call-takers in case of fire, criminal activity, or bodily injury. There are caveats to using this messaging app, such as log-in issues and sudden account log-outs in addition to its frequent screen freezing.

Serviceable, but needs improvement

Offering free texts and subscription packages for ad-free calls, textPlus: Text Message + Call is a must-have if you frequently communicate with anyone in another country. You can create group chats, send audio and video messages, and make emergency calls, to name a few other features. However, some of the drawbacks of this app include sudden log-outs and freezing. Sometimes, it won’t even send your messages.